Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
Credit: PTI Photo
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday pitched for lowering the minimum age to contest Legislative Assembly elections from 25 to 21. In his closing remarks at a 'Mock Assembly' by school-going children conducted as part of Children's Day celebrations, Revanth Reddy pointed out that such a change in age criteria will increase youth representation in state legislatures. He stressed that 21 year old IAS and IPS officers are effectively serving in districts, pointing out that young individuals of the same age could also excel as MLAs.
He reminded of the previous reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18. In a rare gesture, Revanth attended the mock assembly of school-going students as a chief guest and stated that younger MLAs can focus on important youth-related issues such as sports, education, and employment.
He also mentioned that the 'Mock Assembly' could pass a resolution to alter the age requirements for MLA elections. The MPs from Telangana could then forward this resolution to the President and Prime Minister of India for discussion during the next winter session of Parliament.
He also said that for the first time in the country, the Telangana government constituted an Education Commission to solve the students' problems. 26 lakh students are studying in 26,854 government schools. Whereas, 36 lakh students are enrolled in over 11,000 private schools in the state. It is the responsibility of my government to bring the glory back to the government schools, he added.
“Government is ready to provide all the basic facilities in government schools. I appeal to the people’s representatives to visit the government schools and find out the problems faced by the students. District Collectors should monitor the functioning of the government schools closely for two days a week. Will be put behind bars if anyone found supplying adulterated provisions and contaminated food in the hostels,” he added.